Video Stores in the 90s

September 18, 2023 lasttimeago lifestyle

The most popular video stores in the 90s were Blockbuster Video, Movie Gallery, and Hollywood Video. Other favorites included Family Video and West Coast Video, with Video Ezy (Australia), Xtra-vision (Ireland), and a number of independent stores with regional operations.

  • Blockbuster Video
  • Hollywood Video
  • Family Video
  • West Coast Video
  • Video Ezy
  • Xtra-vision

Honestly, while there a lot of things I’m bummed that I won’t be able to show and share with my kids, the video rental experience is near the top of the list. It’s one of those things that you can talk about and describe perfectly, but they’ll never understand.

I mean, I get joy from just talking about it, so while this isn’t a therapy session, allow me to indulge myself while I do my best to bring everyone back to a time where having your mom take the turn into the video rental store parking lot was almost as exciting as her heading to the golden arches.

A Neighborhood Hub

First of all, the local store was a like a neighborhood hub. You couldn’t go into a video rental store and not see someone you knew. It just wasn’t going to happen. While there might be a handful of grocery stores within a 4 block radius, allowing people to pick and choose per their tastes and wallet, there was one movie store, or two if you were lucky.

The outside of the store was adorned with movie and video game posters to showcase the newest releases, as if they needed any help getting you inside the store. Some were done up like the box office with those familiar bulb lights, neon signs, and more.

The 90s movie rental store had two doors; this is important. Unlike going to a restaurant where everyone would come and go through a particular entrance/exit, you had to enter the movie store through the entrance, and importantly, you had to leave through the designated exit.

Why? The entrance would have the drop-off slot for you to return your previously-rented movies, and the exit had the metal detector and other security features to ensure movies and games weren’t being pilfered.

Entering the Store

Entering the store was unmistakeable. You could do so blindfolded and know exactly where you were. The sights and smells, but also the faint sound of a movie or two playing on monitors a few aisles away. There wasn’t one consistent sound, and not really a buzz or distraction, but just sounds in general.

At this point you had to make a choice—head to the popular new release movies or the video games. Ok, there were more options, but rarely would you see people in the internal sectioned aisles (comedy, horror, drama, children’s, etc…all of the action was on the store’s edges which is where all the good stuff was, and where people had room to roam.

Each wall had movie boxes from head to two. If it was a particularly popular release, you might see one wall completely dominated by one movie. That is, you’d see 50 different boxes for Forrest Gump all on one wall. These boxes were empty, though, only standing as a tool to let you know where to look. Behind each of these boxes was the grail—the actual VHS in a Blockbuster or Hollywood Video case, etc.

The Hunt

Especially on a Thursday or Friday, things would get competitive. Thus, you might rush to a section, and feverishly start looking behind each and every empty box to find a rental. No rental containers meant you were out of luck (most likely).

Now, with your must-have movie not on the shelves, your dreams weren’t totally dashed as there was always the return section or the cart—both of which might have the movie you were looking for just there and waiting to be put back on the shelves.

This time your search was a bit harder because you had no idea what each movie was unless you picked it up and looked at the small print to figure it out. So, if a big time release could be in that pile, you bet your bottom dollar you were checking each and every cartridge.

From there, you were left to wander. The walls were lined with movie posters, cardboard cutouts of popular characters, and promotional displays. The sound of the barcode scanner beeping as movies and games were checked out added to the ambiance. There was often a section where employees would put their personal movie recommendations, complete with a little note about why they liked it. This was a great way to discover hidden gems.

The Checkout

Once you made your selections, you’d approach the counter. usually there was a line, but it wasn’t an issue thanks to a number of different goodies waiting to be grabbed, from take-home buckets of popcorn to candy, sodas, and more. At Blockbuster, for whatever reason, I remember those huge suckers with all of the different and sometimes crazy flavors. (And Buncha Crunch, of course).

When it was your turn for checkout, you’d get your membership card out for scanning, and the employee would open the video case to ensure the correct tape or disc was inside. They’d scan it, print out a receipt with the return date clearly marked, and remind you to “be kind, rewind.” Core memory was they’d reach over and put the rentals on the counter beyond the metal detector. That way you can walk through without issue, grab your rentals, and be on your way.

Really, that was it! the drive home was filled with anticipation. Once home, you’d pop the popcorn, dim the lights, and settle in for a movie night. And if it was a game, you’d play until your eyes were sore or until it was time for bed. Rinse and repeat the next week.